Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB)

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) is a globally recognised Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments. Established in 2009, it serves as a tool for investors, asset managers, and companies to assess and enhance their sustainability practices.

Compliance with this standard is increasingly important because of the pressure on real estate companies to adopt sustainable practices. This pressure comes from investor demand and regulatory requirements. ESG factors are becoming key performance indicators in real estate investment decisions, and frameworks such as GRESB are leading the push for greater transparency and accountability.

TÜV SÜD offers a comprehensive set of services to assist you with GRESB compliance so that you can meet the standards for sustainable real estate investment and sustainable infrastructure.

Aligning with GRESB standards is crucial for enhancing investment appeal, boosting market presence, and meeting stakeholder expectations. Compliance not only opens access to green financing opportunities but also helps businesses maintain their competitive edge by showcasing their commitment to sustainable real estate investment and sustainable infrastructure.

Gathering consistent, high-quality, and comparable ESG data across multiple properties is vital for reliable GRESB assessment and benchmarking. Businesses need to meet international ESG standards while keeping up with changing regulations and demonstrating transparency to stakeholders.

Furthermore, ESG performance improvement is an ongoing process. Businesses need to identify areas of improvement and develop efficient strategies to boost GRESB scores. They need to maintain consistent performance across diverse portfolios to achieve long-term ESG goals.

TÜV SÜD is internationally accredited and offers globally recognised certification. This ensures compliance with international standards.

Our comprehensive support includes independent assessments, extensive audit support, and continuous performance tracking to achieve sustainability goals.

With our vast international network of experts, we offer local support in many markets around the world. We will help you demonstrate compliance with diverse regulations with our deep understanding of market-specific requirements and challenges.

Our comprehensive services in the field of sustainability reporting for real estate assets include:

• Gap analysis and ESG strategy – We offer a comprehensive gap analysis to evaluate current practices against GRESB standards. This helps businesses identify deficiencies and develop tailored improvement plans.
• End-to-end support – We support the full range of activities involved in compliance, from data gathering and analysis to the creation of policies and processes that meet GRESB criteria.
• Independent audits and reporting – We provide independent audits to assess sustainability practices and assure transparency in sustainability reporting for real estate assets. Detailed reports support clients in their ESG performance improvement, ensuring ongoing compliance and providing clarity for stakeholders.

• Assessment framework – GRESB assessments are structured around two main components: the Real Estate Assessment and the Infrastructure Assessment. These assessments evaluate entities on a wide range of ESG criteria, including management practices, performance indicators, and stakeholder engagement.
• Real Estate Assessment – This assesses property companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), funds, and developers on their sustainability practices across their portfolios.
• Infrastructure Assessment – This evaluates infrastructure assets and funds on their ESG performance, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the infrastructure sector.
• Scoring and benchmarking – Participants receive a GRESB score that reflects their overall ESG performance. The score is benchmarked against peers, providing insights into how an entity performs relative to others in the same sector or region. The scoring system allows for detailed analysis and comparison, helping participants identify strengths and areas of improvement.
• Reporting and analysis – Participants gain access to detailed reports and analytics that offer a deep dive into their ESG performance. These reports help companies and investors track progress, set targets, and develop strategies to enhance sustainability across their portfolios.